Digital transformation in Africa is accelerating, bringing with it opportunities but also colossal challenges in terms of data security. Faced with this reality, Cellule Group, a company that helps organizations comply with regulations such as the GDPR implemented by the Senegal Data Protection Commission (CDP), the GDPR at the European level or the Swiss LPD, has organized a strategic seminar in Dubai, bringing together renowned African consultants and experts. The objective? Strengthen the knowledge of African companies to better understand the critical issues related to data security in a context of growing cyber threats.
For more than five intense days, participants attended in-depth presentations, practical use cases and lively debates. All aimed to help businesses master the strategies, laws and regulations governing data security, particularly on the African continent.
Babacar Charles Ndoye, CEO of Cellule Group, opened the proceedings by emphasizing the urgency of adopting drastic measures to protect sensitive data.
« In Africa, we do not yet have sufficiently robust security mechanisms to ensure adequate protection of our data. It is imperative to put in place effective governance, which clarifies roles and defines a security committee dedicated to sensitive data “, he said.
The expert also highlighted the need to educate companies on the mechanisms to locate, protect and manage data within their structures. “We brought companies to Dubai to show them concretely how to implement effective personalized strategies adapted to their needs, and how to locate and secure their data,” he added.
The challenges of digital sovereignty in Africa
In a continent where digital infrastructure is booming, cyberattacks and data breaches are becoming increasingly common, threatening not only business security but also digital trust. Mohamed Diop, Legal Director of the Data Protection Commission (CDP), outlined the challenges this represents for Africa.
He explained that the disparity in data protection laws across the continent prevents real coordination between actors, making the task more difficult to secure personal and professional information.
The question of digital sovereignty has also been debated at length. According to Babacar Charles Ndoye, “it is impossible to talk about digital sovereignty without strict control of one’s data”, recalling that African companies must imperatively take charge of the protection of their data to ensure their sustainability in a global digital economy.
Laws and regulations: an evolving framework
The presentations allowed participants to better understand the different laws and regulations in force, such as the GDPR at the European level, the Swiss LPD, DPO, or even the texts of the CDP in Senegal. These legal frameworks are essential to ensure businesses are compliant while enabling them to effectively protect their digital assets. However, implementing these laws remains a challenge for many organizations, particularly on the African continent where legal and technical infrastructure is still developing.
A crucial need for data security
The importance of data security was highlighted throughout the seminar, particularly in critical sectors such as, personal information privacy, AI and critical infrastructure resilience. Experts stressed the need for a strong governance framework and a proactive approach to minimize the risks of data breaches.
Cellule Group, is committed to supporting African organizations in their compliance with international regulations, by helping them develop data protection strategies adapted to their specific needs.
This seminar, which saw the participation of experts such as Moctar Ba, IT Cybersecurity Consultant/Auditor, Youssef DestefaniEthical Hacker, Basile Niane, Consultant in Digital Communication, and Abdoulaye BaExpert in Data, AI, and Compliance, marks an important step in the collective effort to secure the African digital ecosystem, while supporting companies in their digital transformation and the protection of their most valuable assets: their data.
